A TOP cop has moved to quell fears after a report claimed violent crime in Tameside is on the increase.

Chief superintendent Steven Hartley insists he has figures to actually prove it is falling and blames the so-called rise on a "snapshot" of statistics.

Published by the council, the main findings of the scrutiny panel review into violent crime included:

The prime time for violent crime is Friday and Saturday nights. Hotspots are Ashton and Stalybridge town centres with three-quarters of all woundings and assaults taking place there in the first half of 2006.

Most victims are under 25 with the majority aged between 16 and 18.

A quarter of all incidents were concentrated around three streets in Ashton.

According to police data, recorded incidents of violent crime in Tameside have steadily increased since 2004.

The number of incidents of common assault recorded in the first quarter of 2005/6 increased by 26 per cent, compared to the same period in 2004.

Councillor Michael Smith, chairman of the panel, said: "Much of it is alcohol related and occurs not in pubs and clubs but outside away from the security measures implemented in our town centre venues."

But chief superintendent Hartley said: "In fact, violent crime has fallen against the baseline figure of 2003. And it is seven per cent down on last year. We have had an excellent turnaround since last August.

"Common assaults have increased but in fact we are encouraged by that. That may sound like an anomaly but domestic violence has affected the figures. And we are actively encouraging victims to come forward and report the perpetrators."

"This report, from a panel of predominantly Labour councillors, proves there is a link between the two. The report blames a lack of government funding and a lack of police to deal with increasing violence, but who's to blame for that?

"The fault lies squarely at Labour's door. The residents of Tameside deserve better and for their sakes I hope the council takes note of the serious nature of the report, and doesn't dismiss it like it's dismissed our concerns."